Gore Stumps in Iowa With Focus on Education Themes

Vice President Al Gore has mapped out an education agenda that,
perhaps not surprisingly, closely resembles President Clinton's ideas
on teacher quality.

In what many termed his first major policy address of the 2000
presidential campaign, Mr. Gore stressed the need for more teachers,
more frequent licensing tests, and stronger discipline measures in
schools during a May 16 commencement speech at Graceland College in
Lamoni, Iowa.

"We must improve teacher quality and elevate the teaching profession
by setting high standards for teachers and giving them intensive
support," he said. "This whole process must begin with respect, honor,
and appreciation for America's teachers."

The speech offered a glimpse at Mr. Gore the candidate at a time
when his campaign has come under criticism in some quarters as lacking
focus. The vice president stopped at Graceland College during a two-day
sweep of Iowa, the site of the first presidential caucuses. The trip
also included the opening of a Gore campaign office in Des Moines.

Although Mr. Gore has not yet officially announced his candidacy for
the 2000 Democratic nomination, the vice president has had a hand in
several prominent education events in recent weeks. In well-publicized
appearances, he has named recipients of federal after-school grants,
announced school improvement funding for California at a White House
ceremony, and unveiled an initiative--Boost4kids--that would cut
federal and state bureaucracy and work with community groups to better
provide health and education services to needy children. In a
controversial move, he also announced results from the National
Assessment of Educational Progress earlier this year.

The vice president also visited Charlestown High School in
Massachusetts on May 17 to further discuss his ideas.

Teacher Testing

Under Mr. Gore's proposal unveiled May 16, new teachers would face
tough tests to enter the field, then be retested every five years to
renew their licenses.

The ideas resemble plans promoted by President Clinton, as well as
by some congressional Republicans, who plan to release teacher-quality
legislation of their own near the end of this month. And teacher
quality and training will be an integral part of the reauthorization of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act this year.

In Iowa, Mr. Gore proposed a "21st Century Teacher Corps" plan,
under which aspiring teachers would receive a $10,000 scholarship or a
$10,000 bonus if they were switching careers or if they promised to
teach in needy schools.

The Gore plan drew immediate criticism last week from Lamar
Alexander, the former Bush administration secretary of education who is
campaigning for the Republican nomination for president.

"His proposals all add up to a national school board," Mr. Alexander
said in a statement. "Instead, we need to send federal dollars back to
local school boards, parents, and teachers to let them decide what is
best for students."

But the American Federation of Teachers praised Mr. Gore's agenda.
"At a time when many political leaders are engaged in teacher bashing,
Vice President Gore has praised the difficult job teachers are doing
and our important role in building America's future," Sandra Feldman,
the president of the 1 million-member AFT, said in a statement. "These
proposals build on the progress we are seeing in schools where high
standards and professional support are in place today."

Mr. Gore also called for more discipline and character education in
schools, smaller classes and smaller high schools, expanded tax-exempt
savings accounts for college tuition, and high-quality preschool for
every child.

Vol. 18, Issue 37, Page 22

Published in Print: May 26, 1999, as Gore Stumps in Iowa With Focus on Education Themes

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